UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

|X|   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003.

|_|   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      For the transition period from _____________ to ______________

                         Commission File Number 0-23971

                       Citizens South Banking Corporation
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Delaware                                       54-2069979
   (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                      Identification Number)

            245 West Main Avenue, Gastonia, North Carolina 28052-4140
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (704)-868-5200

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

      Indicate by check |X| whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

      Indicate by check |X| whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer.
Yes | |  No |X|

      Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

                          Common stock, $0.01 par value
                 8,921,632 shares outstanding as of May 1, 2003.

<PAGE>

Citizens South Banking Corporation

                                      INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Page
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         Item 1.   Consolidated Financial Statements ..............................................    2

              Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
                    March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 ..........................................    2

              Consolidated Statements of Operations
                  Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 ......................................    3

              Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
                  Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 ......................................    4

              Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
                  Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 ......................................    5

              Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                  Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 ......................................    6

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ..........................................    7

         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
                  and Results of Operations .......................................................   11

         Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ......................   15

         Item 4.  Controls and Procedures .........................................................   15

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ........................................................................   16

Exhibit 99.1      Statement of Chief Executive Officer Furnished
                  Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 .......................   20

Exhibit 99.2      Statement of Chief Financial Officer Furnished
                  Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 .......................   21
</TABLE>


                                       1
<PAGE>

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

      ITEM 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

Citizens South Banking Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          March 31,         December 31,
                                                                                             2003               2002
                                                                                          ---------         ------------
                                                                                          (unaudited)
<S>                                                                                       <C>                <C>
Assets:
Cash and due from banks ..........................................................        $   9,218          $   7,607
Interest-earning bank balances ...................................................           19,628             39,392
                                                                                          ---------          ---------
   Cash and cash equivalents .....................................................           28,846             46,999
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value ..........................           39,062             39,594
Mortgage-backed and related securities available-for-sale, at fair value .........           93,618             70,409
Loans receivable, net unearned income ............................................          302,291            302,901
Allowance for loan losses ........................................................           (3,000)            (2,995)
                                                                                          ---------          ---------
   Loans, net ....................................................................          299,291            299,906
Real estate owned ................................................................              240              1,307
Accrued interest receivable ......................................................            2,107              1,912
Premises and equipment, net ......................................................           11,480              8,807
Federal Home Loan Bank stock .....................................................            2,825              2,639
Cash value of life insurance policies ............................................            9,918              6,834
Core deposit intangible ..........................................................            1,358              1,484
Goodwill .........................................................................            6,671              6,671
Other assets .....................................................................            5,800              6,005
                                                                                          ---------          ---------
   Total assets ..................................................................        $ 501,216          $ 492,567
                                                                                          =========          =========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Noninterest demand deposit accounts ..............................................        $  13,475          $  11,203
Interest-bearing demand deposit accounts .........................................           28,613             25,773
Money market deposit accounts ....................................................           41,969             35,811
Savings accounts .................................................................           41,606             43,670
Time deposits ....................................................................          218,202            224,405
                                                                                          ---------          ---------
   Total deposits ................................................................          343,865            340,862
Borrowed money ...................................................................           52,897             47,575
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance ..................................              680                440
Accrued interest payable .........................................................              329                382
Other liabilities ................................................................            6,650              6,925
                                                                                          ---------          ---------
   Total liabilities .............................................................          404,421            396,184

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 9,076,552
   shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2003, 9,062,727 shares issued
   and outstanding at December 31, 2002 ..........................................               91                 91
Additional paid-in-capital .......................................................           68,179             68,176
Unallocated common stock held by Employee Stock Ownership Plan ...................           (2,116)            (2,161)
Retained earnings, substantially restricted ......................................           29,402             28,739
Accumulated unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, net of tax .........            1,239              1,538
                                                                                          ---------          ---------
   Total stockholders' equity ....................................................           96,795             96,383
                                                                                          ---------          ---------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .......................................        $ 501,216          $ 492,567
                                                                                          =========          =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       2
<PAGE>

Citizens South Banking Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
                                                                  Three Months
                                                                 Ended March 31,
                                                                 --------------
                                                                 2003      2002
                                                                 ----      ----
Interest Income:
Loans ......................................................    $4,469    $5,588
Investment securities ......................................       418       321
Interest-bearing deposits ..................................        88       102
Mortgage-backed and related securities .....................       928       288
                                                                ------    ------
  Total interest income ....................................     5,903     6,299

Interest Expense:
Deposits ...................................................     1,741     2,125
Borrowed funds .............................................       587       551
                                                                ------    ------
  Total interest expense ...................................     2,328     2,676
                                                                ------    ------

Net interest income ........................................     3,575     3,623

Provision for loan losses ..................................        15        65
                                                                ------    ------

  Net interest income after provision for loan losses ......     3,560     3,558

Noninterest Income:
Service charges and fee income on deposit accounts .........       557       522
Income on mortgage banking and other lending activities ....       247       143
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank stock ..................        30        55
Commissions on sale of financial products ..................        31        47
Gain on sale of assets .....................................        14        98
Other income ...............................................       205       163
                                                                ------    ------
Total noninterest income ...................................     1,084     1,028

Noninterest Expense:
Compensation and benefits ..................................     1,519     1,406
Occupancy ..................................................       325       360
Professional services ......................................       121        79
Data processing expense ....................................        21        93
Advertising and promotions .................................        72        64
Amortization of intangible assets ..........................       126       356
Loss on sale of assets .....................................        10        10
Prepayment fee on FHLB advances ............................         0        65
Other expenses .............................................       569       611
                                                                ------    ------
  Total noninterest expense ................................     2,763     3,044

Income before income taxes .................................     1,881     1,542

Provision for income taxes .................................       674       550
                                                                ------    ------

Net income .................................................    $1,207    $  992
                                                                ======    ======

Per Share Data:
Net income - basic .........................................    $ 0.14    $ 0.11
Net income - diluted .......................................      0.14      0.11
Cash dividends paid ........................................      0.06      0.04

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       3
<PAGE>

Citizens South Banking Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
(in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                                       March 31,
                                                                                  ------------------
                                                                                    2003       2002
                                                                                  -------      -----
<S>                                                                               <C>          <C>
Net income ................................................................       $ 1,207      $ 992
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
    Unrealized gains on securities available for sale:
        Unrealized holding gains arising during period ....................          (297)      (231)
        Reclassification adjustment for (gains) included in net income ....            (2)       (42)
                                                                                  -------      -----
    Other comprehensive income ............................................          (299)      (273)
                                                                                  -------      -----

Comprehensive income ......................................................       $   908      $ 719
                                                                                  -------      -----
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       4
<PAGE>

Citizens South Banking Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (unaudited)
(in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Three Months Ended
                                                                                                    March 31,
                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                              2003             2002
                                                                                            --------        --------
<S>                                                                                         <C>             <C>
Common stock:
At beginning of period ...........................................................          $     91        $  4,581
Exercise of options ..............................................................                 0               0
                                                                                            --------        --------
At end of period .................................................................                91           4,581
                                                                                            --------        --------

Additional paid-in-capital:
At beginning of period ...........................................................            68,176          16,843
Allocation from shares purchased with loan from ESOP .............................                 3               0
Exercise of options ..............................................................                 0               0
                                                                                            --------        --------
At end of period .................................................................            68,179          16,843
                                                                                            --------        --------

Unallocated common stock held by ESOP:
At beginning of period ...........................................................            (2,162)         (1,240)
Allocation from shares purchased with loan from ESOP .............................                46              29
                                                                                            --------        --------
At end of period .................................................................            (2,116)         (1,211)
                                                                                            --------        --------

Retained earnings, substantially restricted:
At beginning of period ...........................................................            28,739          25,105
Net income .......................................................................             1,207             992
Cash dividends declared on common stock ..........................................              (544)           (140)
                                                                                            --------        --------
At end of period .................................................................            29,402          25,957
                                                                                            --------        --------

Accumulated unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of tax:
At beginning of period ...........................................................             1,538           1,116
Other comprehensive results, net of tax ..........................................              (299)           (273)
                                                                                            --------        --------
At end of period .................................................................             1,239             843
                                                                                            --------        --------

Treasury Stock:
At beginning of period ...........................................................                 0          (4,776)
Repurchase of common stock .......................................................                 0               0
                                                                                            --------        --------
At end of period .................................................................                 0          (4,776)
                                                                                            --------        --------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       5
<PAGE>

Citizens South Banking Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                                                      March 31,
                                                                                              -------------------------
                                                                                                2003             2002
                                                                                              --------         --------
<S>                                                                                           <C>              <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income ...........................................................................      $  1,207         $    992
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
      Provision for loan losses ........................................................            15               65
      Depreciation .....................................................................           161              181
      (Gain) on sale of investments, available for sale ................................            (3)             (66)
      (Gain) on sale of other assets ...................................................            (1)             (22)
      Purchase of bank-owned life insurance ............................................        (3,000)               0
      Deferred loan origination fees ...................................................           (37)             (49)
      Allocation of shares to the ESOP .................................................            48               28
      (Increase) in accrued interest receivable ........................................          (194)            (370)
      Amortization of intangible assets ................................................           126              356
      Decrease in other assets .........................................................            70              720
      (Decrease) in other liabilities ..................................................           (74)            (582)
                                                                                              --------         --------
        Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities ...........................        (1,682)           1,253

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Net decrease in loans receivable .....................................................           637            9,481
  Proceeds from the sale of loans ......................................................             0            1,311
  Proceeds from the sale of investment securities ......................................         2,000            2,000
  Proceeds from the sale of mortgage-backed securities .................................           525            1,335
  Proceeds from the sale of other assets ...............................................         1,040              130
  Maturities and prepayments of investment securities ..................................         2,086              913
  Maturities and prepayments of mortgage-backed securities .............................         3,556            4,347
  Purchases of investments .............................................................        (3,850)               0
  Purchases of mortgage-backed securities ..............................................       (27,443)          (3,493)
  (Purchase) sale of FHLB stock ........................................................          (185)             503
  Capital expenditures for premises and equipment ......................................        (2,857)            (104)
                                                                                              --------         --------
        Net cash provided by (used for) investment activities ..........................       (24,491)          16,423

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net increase (decrease) in deposits ..................................................         3,002           (1,610)
  Dividends paid to stockholders .......................................................          (544)            (140)
  Net increase (decrease) in borrowed money ............................................         5,322           (1,048)
  Increase in advances from borrowers for insurance and taxes ..........................           240              395
                                                                                              --------         --------
        Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities ...........................         8,020           (2,403)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ...................................       (18,153)          15,273

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period .......................................        46,999           20,939
                                                                                              --------         --------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period .............................................      $ 28,846         $ 36,212
                                                                                              ========         ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       6
<PAGE>

                       CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

      In management's opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial
statements, which are unaudited, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of
normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
information as of and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002,
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2003 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2003.

      The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Citizens
South Banking Corporation (the "Company") and the Company's wholly-owned
subsidiary, Citizens South Bank (the "Bank").

      Per share amounts and average shares outstanding have been adjusted to
reflect the 2.1408-for-1 exchange ratio used in the stock offering that closed
on September 30, 2002, discussed in Note 2.

      The organization and business of the Company, accounting policies
followed, and other related information are contained in the notes to the
consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, filed as part of the Company's annual report
on Form 10-K. These consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements.

      The Company's critical accounting policy relates to the evaluation of the
allowance for loan losses which is based on management's opinion of an amount
that is adequate to absorb losses in the Company's existing portfolio. The
allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses
based on available information including the composition of the loan portfolio,
historical loan losses, specific impaired loans, availability and quality of
collateral, age of the various portfolios, changes in local economic conditions,
and loan performance and quality of the portfolio. Different assumptions used in
evaluating the adequacy of the Company's allowance for loan losses could result
in material changes in the Company's consolidated financial condition or
consolidated financial results of operations. The Company's policies with
respect to the methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses involve
a higher degree of complexity and require management to make subjective
judgments that often require assumptions or estimates about uncertain matters.
These critical policies and their assumptions are periodically reviewed with the
Board of Directors.

Note 2 - Mutual-to-Stock Conversion and Related Stock Offering

      On September 30, 2002, the mutual-to-stock conversion of Citizens South
Holdings, MHC, the mutual holding company (the "Mutual Holding Company") of
Citizens South Banking Corporation, the predecessor of the Company, and the
related stock offering of the Mutual Holding Company's ownership interest in
Citizens South Banking Corporation were completed. In conjunction with the stock
offering, the Company sold 5,259,945 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share.
Net proceeds from the stock offering amounted to $45.6 million.

      Prior to the completion of the conversion, the Mutual Holding Company
owned 2,457,007 shares, or approximately 58.4% of the outstanding shares of
capital stock in Citizens South Banking Corporation. Upon conversion, each share
of the $1.00 par value common stock of Citizens South Banking Corporation held
by the public was exchanged for 2.1408 shares of $0.01 par value common stock of
the Company which preserved the previous shareholders' ownership interest in
Citizens South Banking Corporation. As a


                                       7
<PAGE>

result, all historical financial information that is based on or derived from
the actual or average number of outstanding shares of common stock during any
period prior to September 30, 2002, has been appropriately adjusted to reflect
the exchange ratio of 2.1408-to-1. The conversion was accounted for as a change
in corporate form with no subsequent change in historical basis for the
Company's assets, liabilities, and equity.

Note 3 - Use of Estimates

      The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in
the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.

Note 4 - Earnings per Share

      Earnings per share has been determined under the provisions of the
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share. For the
quarters ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, basic earnings per share has been
computed based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding of 8,757,664
and 8,771,262, respectively.

      The only potential stock of the Company as defined in the Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share, is stock options
granted to various directors and officers of the Bank. The following is a
summary of the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended
March 31, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands, except share data):

                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                             March 31,
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                        2003             2002
                                                        ----             ----

Net income ...................................       $    1,207       $      992

Weighted average outstanding shares ..........        8,757,664        8,771,262
Dilutive effect of stock options .............          162,867           58,009
                                                     ----------       ----------
Weighted average diluted shares ..............        8,920,531        8,829,271

Diluted earnings per share ...................       $     0.14       $     0.11

Note 5 - Stock Compensation Plans

      On April 12, 1999, the Company's shareholders approved the Citizens South
Bank 1999 Stock Option Plan that provided for the issuance of 211,335 options
for directors and officers to purchase the Company's common stock. Pursuant to
the mutual holding company conversion and reorganization completed September 30,
2002, each share of the $1.00 par value common stock of Citizens South Banking
Corporation (the former Federal corporation) was exchanged for 2.1408 shares of
$0.01 par value common stock of Citizens South Banking Corporation (the new
Delaware corporation), which preserved the previous shareholders' interest in
Citizens South Banking Corporation. Thus, the 211,335 shares of common stock in
the 1999 Stock Option Plan were exchanged for 452,425 shares, with the exercise
prices of the previously granted options adjusted accordingly to the same ratio.
As of March 31, 2003, 366,576 options were issued and unexercised, including
16,145 in reload options. Also, 81,460 options had been exercised and 20,534
options were unissued. The issued and unexercised options had a weighted average
exercise price of $5.94 and a weighted average


                                       8
<PAGE>

contractual life of 73 months. There were 285,077 options fully vested as of
March 31, 2003, of which 68% were incentive and 32% were non-statutory stock
options.

      In accordance with SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,
as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition
and Disclosure - An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123, the Company has adopted
the disclosure-only option and elected to apply the provisions of APB No. 25 for
financial statement purposes. As such, no stock-based employee compensation cost
is reflected in net income for these plans.

      Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share have
been determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options
using the fair value method, and is presented below (note that earnings per
share numbers for the three months ended March 31, 2002, have been adjusted to
reflect the exchange ratio of 2.1408-to-1):

                                                            Three months ended
                                                                 March 31,
                                                          ----------------------
                                                             2003         2002
                                                             ----         ----
Net income ( in thousands):
         As reported                                      $   1,207    $     992
         Deduct: Total stock-based employee
         compensation cost determined under
         the fair value method, net of tax                        7           18
                                                          ---------    ---------
Pro forma                                                 $   1,200    $     974
                                                          ---------    ---------

Basic earnings per share:
         As reported                                      $    0.14    $    0.11
         Pro forma                                        $    0.14    $    0.11

Diluted earnings per share:
         As reported                                      $    0.14    $    0.11
         Pro forma                                        $    0.13    $    0.11

      The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions used for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2003 and 2002:
dividend yield of 3.27%, expected volatility of 20%, risk-free investment rate
of 5.0%, and expected lives of 7 years.

Note 6 - Dividend Declaration

      On April 21, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and
declared a regular cash dividend of $0.06 per share of common stock to
shareholders of record as of May 1, 2003, and payable on May 15, 2003.

Note 7 - Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

      SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal
Activities, was issued in June 2002 and addresses financial accounting and
reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities. This statement
is effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002;
its adoption effective January 1, 2003 did not have a material impact on the
financial statements of the Company.


                                       9
<PAGE>

      SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and
Disclosure - An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123, was issued in December 2002
and provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the
fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In
addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to
require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements
about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the
effect of the method used on reported results. The disclosure requirements of
this statement are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002 and
are included in these interim financial statements.

      SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, was issued in April 2003 and amends SFAS No. 133 for certain
decisions made by the Financial Accounting Standards Board as part of the
Derivatives Implementation Group process and to clarify the definition of a
derivative. This statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified
after June 30, 2003, except for certain specific issues already addressed by the
Derivatives Implementation Group and declared effective that are included in the
statement. The adoption of the provisions of this statement is not expected to
have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.


                                       10
<PAGE>

ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

      From time to time, the Company may publish forward looking statements
relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business
prospects, technological developments, new products, and similar matters. The
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for
forward looking statements provided that the Company notes that a variety of
factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the
anticipated results expressed in the Company's forward looking statements.
Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected
in the forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, general
economic conditions that are less favorable than expected, changes in market
interest rates that result in reduced interest margins, risks in the loan
portfolio, including prepayments, are greater than expected, legislation or
regulatory changes that have a less than favorable impact on the business of the
Company are enacted, and competitive pressures increase significantly.
Statements included in this report should be read in conjunction with the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K which is incorporated into this discussion
by this reference. Forward looking statements speak only as of the date they are
made and the Company does not undertake to update forward looking statements to
reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of the forward looking
statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Accordingly,
past results and trends should not be used by investors to anticipate future
results or trends.

Comparison of Financial Condition

      Assets. Total assets of the Company increased by $8.6 million, or 1.7%,
from $492.6 million as of December 31, 2002, to $501.2 million as of March 31,
2003. This increase was primarily funded by a $8.3 million increase in deposits
and borrowings. During the three-month period, the Company invested excess
liquidity into mortgage-backed securities resulting in a $23.2 million, or
33.0%, increase in mortgage-backed securities to $93.6 million. This excess
liquidity was due to the $45.6 million in net proceeds received from the
September 30, 2002 stock offering and the increased level of prepayments on
residential mortgage loans. As a result of these historically high levels of
mortgage loan prepayments, net loans decreased by $615,000 to $299.3 million.
Most of these prepayments were concentrated in the one-to-four family
residential mortgage loan portfolio which decreased by $11.3 million, or 7.6%,
to $148.1 million. The portfolio of one-to-four family residential loans
decreased due to the fact that management typically originates all new
fixed-rate residential loans in the name of various third party investors. By
closing and funding these loans in the name of a third party, the Company
reduces its overall vulnerability to rising interest rates and immediately
recognizes fee income from the origination of these loans. In addition, this
program allows the Bank to offer a broader range of mortgage loan products to
its customers. During the same period, the combined gross portfolios for all
other loans, including multifamily residential, commercial mortgage, land,
commercial business, and consumer loans, increased by $9.9 million, or 6.2%, to
$169.5 million. Management will continue to seek to grow these loan portfolios
in a safe and sound manner with an emphasis on adjustable-rate loans or
shorter-term fixed rate loans. Also during the period, the Company sold a large
parcel of real estate owned for $1.1 million, purchased a $2.0 million parcel of
property to be used for a new corporate office with available outparcels, and
purchased $3.0 million in bank-owned life insurance.

      Allowance for loan losses and nonperforming assets. The Company has
established a systematic methodology for determining the adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses. This methodology is set forth in a formal policy and
considers all loans in the portfolio. Specific allowances are established for
certain individual loans that management considers impaired. The remainder of
the portfolio is segmented into groups


                                       11
<PAGE>

of loans with similar risk characteristics for evaluation and analysis.
Management's periodic evaluation of the allowance is consistently applied and
based on inherent losses in the portfolio, past loan loss experience, risks
inherent in the different types of loans, the estimated value of any underlying
collateral, current economic conditions, the borrower's financial position, and
other relevant internal and external factors that may affect loan
collectibility. The allowance for loan losses is increased by charging
provisions for loan losses against income. As of March 31, 2003, the allowance
for loan losses amounted to $3.0 million. Management believes that this amount
meets the requirement for losses on loans that management considers to be
impaired, for known losses, and for risks inherent in the remaining loan
portfolios. Although management believes that it uses the best information
available to make such determinations, future adjustments to the allowance for
loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be significantly
adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions
used in making the determinations. The following table presents an analysis of
changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods and information with
respect to nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.

                                                          At and For the Three
                                                         Months Ended March 31,
                                                         ----------------------
                                                         2003             2002
                                                         ----             ----
                                                         (dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning of period                                     $2,995           $3,136
Provision for loan losses                                   15               65
Recoveries                                                   2                0
Less: Charge-offs                                           12              179
                                                        ------           ------
End of period                                            3,000            3,022
                                                        ------           ------

Nonaccrual loans                                           570            1,453
Real estate owned                                          240            1,698
                                                        ------           ------
Nonperforming assets                                       810            3,151
                                                        ------           ------

 Allowance for loan losses as a
     percentage of total loans                            0.99%            0.91%

Nonperforming loans to
     total loans                                          0.19%            0.44%

Nonperforming assets to
      total assets                                        0.16%            0.71%

      Interest income that would have been recorded for the three months ended
March 31, 2003 and 2002, had nonaccruing loans had been current in accordance
with their original terms amounted to $37,000 and 63,000, respectively.

      Liabilities. Total liabilities increased by $8.2 million, or 2.1%, from
$396.2 million as of December 31, 2002, to $404.4 million as of March 31, 2003.
This increase was primarily due to a $5.3 million increase in borrowed money and
a $3.0 million increase in total deposits. During the quarter the Company repaid
a $5.0 million Federal Home Loan Bank adjustable rate advance and replaced these
funds with $10.0 million of fixed rate advances. These additional borrowed funds
were used to purchase mortgage-backed securities. Total borrowings, including
repurchase agreements, increased $5.3 million, or 11.1%, to $52.9 million. Also
during the quarter, total deposits increased by $3.0 million, or 0.9%. Core
deposits, which include checking accounts,


                                       12
<PAGE>

savings accounts, and money market deposit accounts, increased by $9.2 million,
or 7.9%, to $125.7 million as of March 31, 2003. These increases were partly
offset by a $6.2 million decrease in higher-costing time deposits to $218.2
million. Management plans to continue in its efforts to gain deposit market
share through new product development and branch expansion with an emphasis on
core deposits.

      Equity. Total equity increased by $412,000, or 0.4%, from $96.4 million as
of December 31, 2002, to $96.8 million as of March 31, 2003. This increase was
primarily due to $1.2 million in earnings, which was partly offset by the
payment of $544,000 in cash dividends and a $299,000 decrease in accumulated
unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
and 2002

      General. Net income for the Company for the three months ended March 31,
2003, amounted to $1.2 million, or $0.14 per share, as compared to $992,000, or
$0.11 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2002.

      Net interest income. Net interest income decreased by $48,000, or 1.3%, to
$3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Interest income
decreased by $396,000, or 6.3%, primarily as a result of a 108 basis point, or
16.9%, decrease in the average yield on earning assets to 5.30%. The decrease in
yield was partially offset by a $52.1 million, or 13.0%, increase in the average
outstanding balance of interest earning assets to $453.1 million. The increase
in average interest earning assets was primarily due to the $45.6 million in net
proceeds received from the stock offering that closed on September 30, 2002 as
described in Note 2. Interest expense decreased by $348,000, or 13.0%, during
the period. This reduction in interest expense was due to a 29 basis point, or
10.3%, reduction in the average cost of funds to 2.52%, and a $10.9 million, or
2.8%, decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $374.9
million. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased primarily as a result of
a decrease in deposits resulting from the Innes Street acquisition. Many of
these deposits were higher costing time deposits. The net interest margin for
the Company was 3.25% for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, compared to 2.88%
for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

      Provision for loan losses. The provision for loan losses amounted to
$15,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, compared to $65,000 for the
three months ended March 31, 2002. The amount of the provision for loan losses
was reduced, in part, due to a reduction in the amount of outstanding loans
resulting from the increased level of residential loan prepayments. Management
establishes the provision for loan losses based on available information
including the composition of the loan portfolio, historical loan losses,
specific impaired loans, availability and quality of collateral, age of the
various portfolios, changes in local economic conditions, and loan performance
and quality of the portfolio. There have been no material changes in
management's methods for determining the provision for loan losses during the
past year. The allowance for loan losses was $3.0 million, or 0.99% of gross
loans, as of March 31, 2003, compared to $3.0 million, or 0.91% of gross loans,
as of March 31, 2002. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans
has increased during the past year due, in part, to the increased concentration
of commercial real estate and commercial business loans during the past year.
Future loan loss provisions will be made based on management's analysis and
review of the information cited above.

      Noninterest income. Noninterest income amounted to $1.1 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2003, as compared to $1.0 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2002. This increase of $56,000, or 5.5%, was primarily
due to increased fees generated by the Bank's mortgage banking department and
additional fee income derived from deposit products. Fee income derived from
lending and mortgage banking activities increased $104,000, or 72.7%, due to
higher residential loan originations resulting from historically low interest
rates. These loans are generally originated on behalf of a third party and all
fees collected are


                                       13
<PAGE>

recognized as current period income. Income on deposit accounts increased
$35,000, or 6.7%, due, in part, to the increased number of fee-generating demand
deposit accounts. Management plans to continue in its efforts to increase its
outstanding balance of fee-generating demand deposit accounts through targeted
advertising and branch expansion.

      During the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the Company recognized a gain of
$14,000 primarily from the sale of $2.0 million in investment securities. During
the quarter ended March 31, 2002, the Company recognized a gain of $98,000
primarily from the sale of $2.0 million in investment securities and $1.3
million in fixed rate residential mortgage loans.

      Noninterest expense. Noninterest expense amounted to $2.7 million for the
quarter ended March 31, 2003, compared to $3.0 million for the quarter ended
March 31, 2002, representing a decrease of $281,000, or 9.2%. This decrease was
primarily due to a $230,000 reduction in the amortization of the core deposit
premium. The core deposit intangible, created as a result of the Company's
acquisition of Innes Street Financial Corporation ("Innes Street" or
"acquisition") in December 2001, is being amortized over a seven-year period
using the accelerated method. The Company also incurred a $72,000 reduction in
data processing expense resulting from the computer conversion and integration
associated with the acquisition and paid a $65,000 prepayment penalty on a
Federal Home Loan Bank advance during the first quarter of 2002. These
reductions in expenses were partly offset by a $113,000, or 8.0%, increase in
compensation and a $42,000, or 53.2%, increase in professional services.
Compensation increased due to the additional number of employees needed to
operate a larger Company, while professional services increased due to
additional outside services being needed to operate a fully-public Company and
to ensure proper corporate governance in light of new regulatory actions.

      Income taxes. Income taxes amounted to $674,000, or 35.8% of taxable
income, for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, as compared to $550,000, or 35.7%
of taxable income, for the quarter ended March 31, 2002. From time to time the
Company invests in tax-advantaged assets such as municipal securities,
bank-owned life insurance, and government agency securities in order to reduce
its income tax burden.

Liquidity, Market Risk, and Capital Resources

      The objective of the Company's liquidity management policy is to ensure
the availability of sufficient funds to meet the cash needs of borrowers and
depositors and to provide funds necessary to maintain the normal operations of
the Company. The Company's liquidity is primarily affected by fluctuations in
deposit and lending activities, maturities of investments and borrowed money,
and investments in capital improvements and market expansion. Its liquidity is
also impacted by certain off-balance sheet items such as loan commitments,
unfunded portions of construction loans, and unused lines of credit. At March
31, 2003, the Company had loan commitments of $27.4 million, undisbursed
portions of construction loans of $4.6 million, and unused lines of credit of
$58.9 million. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries have incurred
off-balance sheet obligations through the use of or investment in derivative
financial instruments or structured finance or special purpose entities
organized as corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, or trusts.

      The Company's primary sources of internally generated funds are principal
and interest payments on loans receivable, cash flows generated from operations,
cash flows generated by investment and mortgage-backed securities, and growth in
core deposits. As of March 31, 2003, the Company's cash and due from banks and
interest-earning bank balances totaled $28.8 million compared to $47.0 million
as of December 31, 2002. This $18.2 million decrease was largely due to a $24.5
million decrease in net cash used for investment activities. These investment
activities include the purchase of $27.4 million in mortgage-backed securities,
the purchase of $3.9 million in investment securities and $2.9 million in
capital expenditures. These capital


                                       14
<PAGE>

expenditures included the acquisition of land for a new corporate office in
Gastonia, NC, construction of a new branch in Mooresville, NC, and remodeling
and renovations to the branch offices in Salisbury, NC, and Rockwell, NC. The
decrease in cash for investment activities was partly offset by the sale of $2.5
million in mortgage-backed and investment securities, $1.0 million from the sale
of real estate owned, and $5.6 million in maturities and prepayments on
mortgage-backed and investment securities. The Company also used $1.7 million
for operating activities. These funds were primarily used to purchase $3.0
million in bank-owned life insurance, the effects of which were partly offset by
net income of $1.2 million. The funds used for operating and investment
activities were partly offset by $8.0 million in cash provided by financing
activities. These financing activities primarily consisted of a $3.0 million
increase in deposits and a $5.3 million increase in borrowed money.

      The Company's external sources of funds include increases in large
denomination wholesale deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of
Atlanta ("FHLB"). If the Company requires funds beyond its internal funding
capabilities, the Company has $73.6 million in additional advances available
from its line of credit with the FHLB. These FHLB advances are secured by a
blanket lien on first mortgage residential loans held by the Company. Given the
Company's current liquidity position, availability of credit, and cash flows
from internal sources, management believes that the Company has the ability to
meet deposit withdrawals on demand or at contractual maturity, to repay
borrowings as they mature, and to fund new loans and commitments as
opportunities arise.

      The Company's most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk,
as the Company's assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest
rates. The Company's Asset / Liability Committee ("ALCO") is responsible for
monitoring its level of interest rate risk and ensuring compliance with
Board-adopted limits. During the 2003 fiscal year, the Company purchased $27.4
million in mortgage-backed securities with excess liquidity held by the Company
as a result of the September 2002 stock offering. These mortgage-backed
securities typically have a balloon or interest rate adjustment after an initial
seven- or five-year period, or have a fixed rate for ten years based on a
ten-year amortization schedule. There were no other changes in the Company's
asset or liability composition that could result in a material change in the
Company's analysis of interest rate sensitivity as discussed in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

      The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements
administered by the banking regulatory agencies. As of March 31, 2003, Citizens
South Bank's level of capital exceeded all applicable regulatory requirements.
Citizens South Bank's Tier I capital was $58.6 million, or 11.96% of adjusted
assets. The minimum Tier I capital ratio is 4.00%. Failure to meet minimum
capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly discretionary
actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material
effect on the Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and
the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet
specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank's
assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under
regulatory accounting practices. The Bank's capital amounts and classifications
are subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components,
risk-weightings, and other factors.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

      The information required by this item is included above in Item 2,
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, under the caption "Liquidity, Market Risk, and Capital Resources."

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures


                                       15
<PAGE>

      (a)   Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

            Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's
      management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief
      Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design
      and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as
      defined in Rule 13a-14(c) under the Exchange Act) within 90 days prior to
      the filing date of this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief
      Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's
      disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them
      to the material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries
      required to be included in the Company's periodic SEC filings.

      (b)   Changes in internal controls.

            There were no significant changes made in the Company's internal
      controls during the period covered by this report or, to the Company's
      knowledge, any other factors that could significantly affect these
      controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Legal Proceedings

      There are various claims and lawsuits in which the Bank is periodically
involved incidental to the Company's business. In the opinion of management, no
material loss is expected from any of such pending claims or lawsuits.

Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

      Not applicable.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

      Not applicable.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

      There were no matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders during the
quarter ended March 31, 2003.

Exhibits and Report on Form 8-K.

(a)   Exhibits:

      99.1 Written statement of Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to
      Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

      99.2 Written statement of Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to
      Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.


                                       16
<PAGE>

(b)   There were no reports filed on Form 8-K with the SEC during the quarter
      ended March 31, 2003.


                                       17
<PAGE>

SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.

                                    Citizens South Banking Corporation


Date: May 13, 2003                  By: /s/ Kim S. Price
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Kim S. Price
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer


Date: May 13, 2003                  By: /s/ Gary F. Hoskins
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Gary F. Hoskins
                                       Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                       Officer and Treasurer


                                       18
<PAGE>

                    Certification of Chief Executive Officer
            Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Kim S. Price, President and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

(1)   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Citizens South
      Banking Corporation;

(2)   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
      statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
      make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
      statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
      this quarterly report;

(3)   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
      information included in this quarterly report fairly present in all
      material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
      flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
      quarterly report;

(4)   The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
      establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
      defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and
      have:

      a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
            material information relating to the registrant, including its
            consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
            those entities, particularly during the period in which this
            quarterly report is being prepared;

      b)    evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls
            and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date
            of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

      c)    presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
            effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
            evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

(5)   The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on
      our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit
      committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
      equivalent functions):

      a)    all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
            controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
            record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
            identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in
            internal controls; and

      b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
            other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
            internal controls; and

(6)   The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
      quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal
      controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
      controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including
      any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and
      material weaknesses.


May 13, 2003                               /s/ Kim S. Price
------------                               -------------------------------------
Date                                       Kim S. Price
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


                                       19
<PAGE>

                    Certification of Chief Financial Officer
            Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Gary F. Hoskins, Chief Financial Officer, certify that:

(1)   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Citizens South
      Banking Corporation;

(2)   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
      statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
      make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
      statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
      this quarterly report;

(3)   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial
      information included in this quarterly report fairly present in all
      material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
      flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
      quarterly report;

(4)   The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
      establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
      defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and
      have:

      a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
            material information relating to the registrant, including its
            consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
            those entities, particularly during the period in which this
            quarterly report is being prepared;

      b)    evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls
            and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date
            of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

      c)    presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
            effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
            evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

(5)   The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on
      our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit
      committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
      equivalent functions):

      a)    all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
            controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to
            record, process, summarize and report financial data and have
            identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in
            internal controls; and

      b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
            other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
            internal controls; and

(6)   The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this
      quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal
      controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
      controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including
      any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and
      material weaknesses.


May 13, 2003                                         /s/ Gary F. Hoskins
------------                                         ---------------------------
Date                                                 Gary F. Hoskins
                                                     Chief Financial Officer


                                       20